“No greater love has any man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13 NKJV
In 2006, during a mission in the Adhamiyah section of Baghdad, Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis was riding in a truck with four other soldiers when an insurgent dropped a grenade into the truck from above. McGinnis announced the grenade and then pinned it down with his body, although his comrades claim he had time to jump out of the truck and save himself. He sacrificed his own life and saved the lives of four others.
On Memorial Day, we acknowledge the soldiers who died sacrificially so that we could live and live in freedom. The Bible says in John 15:13, “No greater love has any man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” This is exactly what McGinnis did for his friends.
Jesus died sacrificially, but His death accomplished something different than that of a soldier’s. Through His death, we can have not only a fulfilled earthly life but an eternal life in heaven. Only a sinless, perfect lamb, the Lamb of God, could accomplish this for us.
Thank you, Lord, for our freedoms, for the sacrifice of soldiers and for Your son’s sacrifice for us. Thank you, that through Him, we can be reconciled to You, put on His righteousness and enjoy heaven with You.